History

Colfe's is one of the oldest schools in London. The Parish Priest of Lewisham taught the local children from the time of Richard Walker’s Charity, founded in 1494, until the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII. The Reverend John Glyn re-established the school in 1568 and it was granted a Charter by Queen Elizabeth in 1574. The Reverend Abraham Colfe, Vicar of Lewisham, became a Governor in 1613 and the School was re-founded bearing his name in 1652.

Colfe declared that the aim of the School was to provide an education for “pupils of good wit and capacity and apt to learn”, reflecting the School’s emphasis on sound learning and academic achievement since the earliest times. Colfe’s original vision was to educate the children of “the hundred of Blackheath” and although today our pupils travel to the School from all parts of London, a strong sense of local community remains, with most of the pupils coming from the four boroughs, which surround the school.

One of Abraham Colfe’s wisest moves was to invite the Leathersellers’ Company, one of the oldest of the city Livery Companies, to be the Trustee of his will. Links between the School and the company are strong. The official Visitor to the School is H.R.H. Prince Michael of Kent.

In 1977, Colfe’s became independent, ensuring the continuance of its tradition of academic excellence. Over three hundred years of grammar school heritage have left a lasting mark on Colfe’s , reflected in its commitment to high standards and a well-rounded education.

Founded as a school for boys, girls have been admitted to the Sixth Form for over twenty years. In 1997 the decision was taken to expand the school in order to establish co-education at all levels.